While many would like to see Stephen Harper take the blame, his natural greasiness will probably allow him to slip out from under the impending axe. Defense Minister Peter MacKay might not be so lucky, and who better than him to serve as the whipping boy.

No matter who takes the fall for this fiasco, their untimely departure will do little to restore the Conservative’s credibility with Canadians.

Auditor General Michael Ferguson, in a report released today, slammed the Conservative government’s plans to purchase F-35 fighter jets, saying the entire process lacked sufficient oversight and did not exercise due diligence.

National defense officials stand accused of low-balling the costs of the controversial aircraft, and of keeping Canadians in the dark about the true risks of participating in a project beset by delays and cost overruns.

Wow! What is this strange feeling that has overtaken me? It’s some kind of fuzzy, warm reassurance that politics in Canada has not been usurped by the military industrial complex.

The purchase of replacement jets will still continue, only now with more transparency and more accountability. And instead of giving sole responsibility to the Defense department, the big ticket purchase will be shared with Public Works and other branches of office.

Opposition members are going to have a field day with this during question period. My hope is that they set their sights on none other than the Defense Minister himself, Peter MacKay. Who better to take the axe than the guy who vehemently pushed for the buggy and overpriced jets?

Even if MacKay does weasel his way out of this, Canadians can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that, even with a majority government, Conservatives can still brought to bear for their unscrupulous dealings.

Canadian’s are facing austerity cuts across the board – wage freezes, slashed funding, and major reforms to pensions – yet the Conservatives seem hellbent on acquiring some fancy new planes for $9 billion. Or is it $10 billion now, or more?

Where are their priorities? With the pressing needs of Canadians, or with getting their kickbacks from the Defense Industry?